Slide and pivot media storage and display container

ABSTRACT

A media storage container has an internal media holder that slides from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to an outer sleeve. A cover then is pivoted from a closed position to an open position to expose a media nest. The cover may be configured to carry one or more media nests. The holder includes an anchor that remains inside the sleeve when the holder is extended to prevent the holder from pivoting with respect to the sleeve.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/810,250 filed Jun. 2, 2006; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to media storage containers and, more particularly, to media storage containers adapted to store and display a disc-shaped item of recorded media. Specifically, the invention relates to a recyclable media storage container having a holder that slides out of a sleeve and then pivots open to allow the user to access the item of recorded media.

2. Background Information

Various media storage containers are known in the art. Some of the most common storage containers for recorded media are book-like containers having a lid connected to a base with a hinge. These containers typically allow a printed promotional slip sheet to be connected to the lid, hinge, and base where one surface of the sheet is viewable by the user. Those who manufacture and sell recorded media desire innovative packaging that attracts the consumer's attention while also providing space for printed information and the opportunity for consumer interaction with the packaging. These users also desire different container configurations in order to provide something new to catch the consumer's eye in a crowded market. These users also desire to provide a container that is recyclable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a media storage container having an internal media holder that slides from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to an outer sleeve. A cover then is pivoted from a closed position to an open position to expose a media nest.

The invention provides configurations wherein the cover is configured to carry one or more media nests.

In one configuration, the entire container is fabricated from a recyclable material. The material may be a paper-based material.

In one configuration, the holder of the container includes an anchor that remains inside the sleeve when the holder is extended to prevent the holder from pivoting with respect to the sleeve.

These configurations are provided individually and in combination with one another to form additional configurations. Examples of the invention are described below. The invention is defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first configuration for a media storage container in the closed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the first configuration for a media storage container in the closed configuration.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the first configuration with the internal media holder slid out to an extended position with the cover in the closed position.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the first configuration with the internal media holder slid out to an extended position with the cover in the open position to expose the media nest of the container.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the locking flanges wherein the locking flange of the outer sleeve is pulled out of the sleeve to show its shape.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the locking flanges wherein the locking flange of the outer sleeve is pulled out of the sleeve to show its shape.

FIG. 7 is a layout view showing how the internal media holder of the first configuration may be cut from a single piece of material.

FIG. 8 is a layout view showing how the outer sleeve of the first configuration may be cut from a single piece of material.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a second configuration for a media storage container in the closed configuration.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the second configuration for a media storage container in the closed configuration.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the second configuration with the internal media holder slid out to an extended position with the cover in the closed position.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the second configuration with the internal media holder slid out to an extended position with the cover in the open position to expose a pair of media nests of the container.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the hinge between the two media nests.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the hinge between the two media nests and showing the frictional engagement between the internal media holder and the outer sleeve.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the locking flanges wherein the locking flange of the outer sleeve is pulled out of the sleeve to show its shape.

FIG. 16 is a layout view showing how the outer sleeve of the second configuration may be cut from a single piece, of material.

FIG. 17 is a layout view showing how the internal media holder of the second configuration may be cut from a single piece of material.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of a third configuration for a media storage container in the closed configuration.

FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of the third configuration for a media storage container in the closed configuration.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the third configuration with the internal media holder slid out to an extended position with the cover in the closed position.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the third configuration with the internal media holder slid out to an extended position with the cover in the open position to expose a one of the media nests.

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of the third configuration with the internal media holder slid out to an extended position with the cover in the open position to expose all three of the media nests.

FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of the hinge between the three media nests and showing the frictional engagement between the internal media holder and the outer sleeve.

FIG. 24 is a layout view showing how the outer sleeve of the third configuration may be cut from a single piece of material.

FIG. 25 is a layout view showing how the internal media holder of the third configuration may be cut from a single piece of material.

Similar numbers refer to similar, but not identical, parts throughout the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first configuration of the media storage container is indicated generally by the numeral 2 in the accompanying drawings. The first configuration of container 2 includes an outer sleeve 4 and an internal media holder 6 that moves between retracted (FIGS. 1 and 2) and extended (FIGS. 3 and 4) positions. Media holder 6 is configured to hold at least one item of recorded media 17 such as a recorded or recordable disc, a DVD, a CD, a VHS tape, a video game cartridge, a UMD, and the like. Holder 6 holds the item of recorded media in any of a variety of known manners such as a frictional arrangement at the outer edge of item 17 (FIG. 4) or a snap hub that engages the central opening of item 17 (FIG. 7). Container 2 is used to provide a plurality of interactive graphic display areas 8 (four panels) and 10 (four panels) which may be used to display information related to the item of recorded media stored within container 2.

Outer sleeve 4 may define a finger access cutout 12 in its rear panel that allows the user to grasp and pull on internal media holder 6. FIG. 8 depicts the blank used to form outer sleeve 4. The blank may be cut or punched from material stock, folded along the lines depicted in FIG. 8, and glued to form sleeve 4. FIG. 8 also depicts an optional cutout 12 defined by the end of the front panel 28. The user may pull holder 6 to the extended position of FIG. 3 and then pivot a cover 14 from a closed position to an open position to expose the media nest 16. The user may then remove the item of media 17 from nest 16. In this configuration, the entire container is manufactured from a paper-based product such as a paperboard. When container 2 is to be discarded, the entire container of the first configuration may be recycled.

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict the lock flanges 18 and 20 that interact to prevent internal holder 6 from being completely pulled from sleeve 4 during normal use. Flanges 18 and 20 are sized to stop holder 6 from being pulled out of sleeve 4 immediately after cover 14 is free of sleeve 4. As such, cover 14 is shorter than holder 6 but long enough to cover nest 16 as shown in FIG. 7. Nest 16 may be formed closer to the cover hinge than the flange hinge so that cover 14 may completely cover nest 16. Flange 18 may include a tapered portion 30 and a rectangular portion 32. Cutout 12 is partially defined by the tapered portion of flange 18. The tapered portion of flange 18 reduces binding between the two flanges when holder 6 is inside sleeve 4. The tapered portion of flange 18 also allows the tapered ends of the edge flaps 34 to be folded inwardly without overlapping flange 18.

FIG. 7 shows the use of multiple layers of material to form nest 16. FIG. 7 also depicts an optional embossed hub 22 that may be formed integrally with the material of holder 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the material used to form holder 6 is thicker than the material used to form sleeve 4. In one embodiment, the material used to form holder 6 is at least twice as thick as the material used to form sleeve 4. The thicker material provides rigidity to container 2. The material also allows nest 16 to be build up to be thicker than the thickness of item 17 with only an inner nest page 40 and an outer nest page 42. When assembled, inner nest page 40 is folded over at a perforated fold line 43 to be disposed directed against backing page 44 so that hub 22 is exposed through the opening defined by page 40. Outer nest page 42 is folded over about a scored fold line 45 on top of inner nest page 40 to form nest 16. Backing page 44 is itself folded over a score line 49 to be disposed against a base page 46 so to provide a four-layer body to holder 6. FIG. 7 also depicts the use of a perforated fold line 47 to connected flange 20 to page 46. Perforated line 47 does not extend the entire width of flange 20 such that flange 20 is secured by living hinge fold lines 48 adjacent both of its ends. Cover 14 is folded about a double hinge 50 that includes four score lines 52 and two living hinges 54. Hinge 50 is parallel to the ends of container 2.

Container 2 is used to provide a plurality of interactive graphic display areas 8 (five panels counting the sidewalls and end wall of sleeve) and 10 (four panels) which may be used to display information related to the item of recorded media stored within container 2.

A second configuration of the media storage container is indicated generally by the numeral 102 in the accompanying drawings. The second configuration of container 102 includes an outer sleeve 4 and an internal media holder 6 that moves between retracted (FIGS. 9 and 10) and extended (FIGS. 11 and 12) positions. Media holder 6 is configured to hold at least two items of recorded media 17 such as recorded or recordable discs, DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, video game cartridges, UMDs, and the like. In this configuration, holder 6 includes a pair of media nests 104 that include retaining devices 106 such as the snap hubs shown in the drawings. Media nests 104 may be fabricated from a paper-based material or a molded plastic as depicted in the drawings.

Container 102 is used to provide a plurality of interactive graphic display areas 8 (five panels counting the sidewalls and end wall of sleeve) and 10 (six panels counting both sides of hinge panel) which may be used to display information related to the item of recorded media stored within container 102.

Outer sleeve 4 may define a finger access cutout 12 in its rear panel that allows the user to grasp and pull on internal media holder 6. The user may pull holder 6 to the extended position of FIG. 9 and then pivot a cover 14 from a closed position to an open position to expose the media nests 104. The user may then remove the items 17 from the nest 104.

Container 2 may be fabricated entirely from recycled materials. When nests 104 are made from molded plastic, they may be separated from the other components and discarded or recycled separately.

FIG. 15 depicts the lock flanges 18 and 20 that interact to prevent internal holder 6 from being completely pulled from sleeve 4. Flanges 18 and 20 are sized to stop holder 6 from being pulled out of sleeve 4 immediately after cover 14 is free of sleeve 4. When holder 6 is disposed in the extended position shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an anchor 130 remains disposed almost entirely inside sleeve 4 to stabilize holder 6 with respect to sleeve 4. A small portion of anchor 130 protrudes from sleeve 4 so that cover 14 is free of sleeve. Anchor 130 does not allow holder 6 to pivot with respect to sleeve 4 when holder 6′ is extended. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention depicted in the drawings, anchor 130 is in the form of a rectangular sleeve slidably disposed inside sleeve 4. Anchor 130 frictionally engages the inside of sleeve 4 to provide a good connection between holder 6 and sleeve 4. Anchor 130 may be about one-third the length of nests 104 in order to provide the desired stability.

FIG. 16 depicts the blank used to form sleeve 4 of container 102. FIG. 17 depicts the blank used to form holder 6 of container 102. In this embodiment, cover 14 is connected to a base page 146 with a double hinge 150 that is disposed parallel to the sidewalls of container 102. A backing page 144 may be used to define nest 104 or to receive molded nest 104 as depicted in the drawings. Backing page 144 is folded and secured directly to base page 146. Anchor 130 is formed from a portion of base page 146 and four anchor panels 132 that are folded into the sleeve configuration shown in the drawings.

A third configuration of the media storage container is indicated generally by the numeral 202 in the accompanying drawings. The third configuration of container 202 includes an outer sleeve 4 and an internal media holder 6 that moves between retracted (FIGS. 18 and 19) and extended (FIGS. 20 and 21) positions. Media holder 6 is configured to hold at least three items of recorded media 17 such as recorded or recordable discs, DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, video game cartridges, UMDs, and the like. In this configuration, holder 6 includes three hinged media nests 104 that include retaining devices 106 such as the snap hubs shown in the drawings.

Container 202 is used to provide a plurality of interactive graphic display areas 8 (five panels counting the sidewalls and end wall of sleeve) and 10 (ten panels counting both sides of both hinge panels) which may be used to display information related to the item of recorded media stored within container 202.

Holder 6 may be moved to the extended position of FIG. 20 wherein covers 14 may be pivoted, one by one, from closed positions to open positions to expose the media nests 104. Anchor 130 is used to maintain the position of holder 6 with respect to sleeve 4 when holder 6 is extended.

FIGS. 24 and 25 depict the lock flanges 18 and 20 that interact to prevent internal holder 6 from being completely pulled from sleeve 4. Flanges 18 and 20 are sized to stop holder 6 from being pulled out of sleeve 4 immediately after cover 14 is free of sleeve 4.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. 

1. A media storage container comprising: an outer sleeve; an internal media holder slidably carried by the outer sleeve between retracted and extended positions; the internal media holder having a first media nest and a cover; the media nest adapted to receive an item of recorded media; and the cover being pivotable between closed and open positions about a cover pivot axis when the internal media holder is disposed in the extended position; the cover covering the nest when the cover is in the closed position; the nest being accessible when the cover is in the open position.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the cover defines a second media nest pivotable with respect to the first media nest about at least a first pivot axis; the first pivot axis being disposed parallel to the direction that the internal media holder is slid when the holder moves from the retracted position to the extended position.
 3. The container of claim 3, wherein the cover defines a third media nest pivotable with respect to the first and second media nests about at least a second pivot axis; the first and second pivot axes being parallel.
 4. The container of claim 1, wherein the cover pivot axis is perpendicular to the direction that the internal media holder is slid when it moves from the retracted position to the extended position.
 5. The container of claim 4, wherein the container is configured to hold a single media disc.
 6. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is configured to hold at least two media discs.
 7. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is fabricated from paper-based material.
 8. The container of claim 1, wherein the internal media holder includes an anchor that remains inside the sleeve when the holder is in the extended position to prevent the holder from pivoting with respect to the sleeve.
 9. The container of claim 8, wherein the anchor frictionally and slidably engages the sleeve.
 10. The container of claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes a first locking flange and the holder includes a second locking flange; the first and second locking flanges engaging when the holder is in the extended position to prevent the holder from being removed from the sleeve.
 11. The container of claim 10, wherein at least one portion of one of the locking flanges is tapered.
 12. The container of claim 1, wherein the cover has a length that is less than a length of the holder.
 13. The container of claim 1, further comprising an item of recorded media disposed in the nest.
 14. The container of claim 1, wherein the nest includes a hub adapted to hold a disc-shaped item of recorded media.
 15. The container of claim 14, wherein the hub is integrally formed in the holder.
 16. The container of claim 15, wherein the hub is embossed in the holder.
 17. The container of claim 1, wherein the holder includes four layers of material connected together by hinges; two of the layers of material defining aligned openings sized to receive the item of recorded media.
 18. The container of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and holder provide at least nine graphic display panels when the holder is in the extended position and the cover is open. 